We were lucky to catch up with Chance Archer recently and have shared our conversation below.
Chance, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.
IB/AP classes, year-round swimming, being class president—all while living without parents, working 2+ jobs to support myself, and handling every responsibility independently. I knew the workload would be overwhelming, but I refused to let my circumstances define my limits.
Of course, it felt impossible at first. 5:00 a.m. swim practices, 25 weighted classes across dual enrollment, International Baccalaureate, and Advanced Placement, plus working to pay rent, bills, and groceries. Sleep and social life became luxuries. There were days I questioned whether I could keep going, but I refused to let my circumstances define my limits. Instead, I learned to manage my time, prioritize, and keep moving forward.
In the end, taking this risk was worth it. I upheld my leadership roles, competed at a high level in swimming, and will graduate with both my high school diploma and associate degree—all without parents who even walked across the high school stage. I also founded One Small Chance, a nonprofit supporting underprivileged youth, something that reflects my drive to give others the opportunities I worked so hard to create for myself. And after three intensive three-hour interviews, I was selected as a Posse Scholar, earning a full-tuition scholarship to the University of Virginia. Every sacrifice made the risk worth it.
Chance, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I’m Chance Archer, a first-generation student and founder of One Small Chance, a nonprofit that helps underprivileged youth with academics, athletics, and basic needs. As a biracial individual who grew up without parental support and faced financial instability, I understand the challenges many young people face. One Small Chance was created to provide resources, like athletic scholarships and school supplies, to those who need them most. I’m proud of the impact we’ve made, raising thousands of dollars and providing opportunities for kids to succeed.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Orphans don’t have birthdays.
Birthdays, for most, are days of celebration. For me, they’re days of endurance. On my tenth birthday, the house was eerily quiet—no sound of tearing wrapping paper, no smell of cake in the air, no excited chatter. Desperate for normalcy, I hesitantly asked my mother for a cake. Without glancing up, she handed me her EBT card and told me to walk to Food Lion and get it myself. That day, I learned that birthdays and Christmases, like academic successes, were things I’d have to create and celebrate on my own.
On the walk to Food Lion, the weight of solitude pressed down on me. Cake or no cake, the house would stay empty—just like the chair that always seemed to wait for someone who never came. The Oxford English Dictionary offers 171,474 words, but the closest word is “orphan.” Although it is defined as a child whose parents are dead, it doesn’t capture me—my parents aren’t dead, but in many ways, I’ve lost them–my mother to mental illness and my father to crime.
The word orphan fails to capture the hollow ache of Christmases spent alone, the loneliness of Thanksgivings without shared gratitude, and the emptiness of unacknowledged birthdays. It’s not just the big holidays; it’s the everyday moments. At dinners, sporting events, and every milestone, there was an empty chair—a chair where my parents should have been. This empty chair wasn’t just a physical absence; it symbolizes the emotional and supportive void in my life. While my friends have someone cheering for them, guiding them, grocery shopping, or simply being there, I’m left to face that empty chair alone.
As I faced the chair alone, the struggle to define my identity deepened as a biracial individual. In a society that often categorizes race strictly, finding my identity became particularly challenging. The empty chair illustrated my disconnection from both sides of my heritage. Often hearing comments like, “You don’t look Black,” or “You’re not really Black,” leaving me to question my place in both communities. My dad’s place in the chair was a loss piece of my culture.
Going to school without the necessary supplies served as a daily reminder that there was no safety net to fall back on. Realizing that the dictionary’s definition of ‘orphan’ didn’t fully define my life, I decided to redefine my experience. That’s when I established One Small Chance, a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities for children like me, who face obstacles without a support system. By helping others, I’ve taken control of my story—filling the emptiness with purpose and community.
Through fundraising efforts, One Small Chance has provided athletic scholarships, purchased cleats and gear, and covered camp fees for students across the Richmond area. Our recent school supplies drive equipped 40 to 50 students with supplies, ensuring they’re able to succeed in school. By taking care of these ‘small’ needs, we aim to create a community that allows children to focus on the ‘big’ goals: following their passions.
By sharing my story and creating One Small Chance, I hope to fill the empty chair in the lives of other children. The empty chair may always be a part of my story, but now it serves as a symbol of strength and hope for others.
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
The most significant resources that have shaped my entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy are the real-world experiences I’ve gained through my nonprofit work, leadership roles, and education. Establishing One Small Chance has taught me the importance of community and understanding the unique needs of others. When I realized the difficulties many young people face without adequate support, I was motivated to create an organization that fills those gaps:providing scholarships, supplies, and opportunities to disadvantaged youth. This experience has taught me about the practical aspects of running a nonprofit, from fundraising to community outreach, and has refined my approach to problem-solving and leadership.
Additionally, my time at Boys State Virginia and the Oliver Hill/Samuel Tucker Pre-Law Program at the University of Richmond has significantly influenced my entrepreneurial mindset. At Boys State, I had the opportunity to develop my leadership abilities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. I learned the importance of taking initiative, building coalitions, and focusing on long-term goals.
I also owe much of my growth to my teachers. Dr. Caseldine-Bracht, my Ethics professor, has guided me in exploring how ethical considerations influence decision-making, especially in the context of entrepreneurship and social impact. His teachings have encouraged me to always ask: “How can I make a positive difference through my actions?” Meanwhile, Dr. Kupscznk, my Economics teacher and Debate coach, has shaped my understanding of economic systems and the role of public policy in fostering equality. His mentorship not only sparked my interest in economics but also reinforced my belief in using my skills to address societal inequalities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.onesmallchance.org/
- Instagram: onesmallchance
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61555817588509
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chancearcher/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3Xw9w10f44&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hanovercounty.gov%2F&source_ve_path=MjM4NTE
